President declares Major Disaster for Ala.

June 3, 2009 at 8:59 PM CDT - Updated June 16 at 1:20 AM

WASHINGTON - The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Wednesday announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the State of Alabama and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, and straight-line winds during the period of May 6-8, 2009.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the State of Alabama by President Obama. The president's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, and straight-line winds in Autauga, Bullock, Elmore, and Montgomery counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all tribes and counties within the state.

Albert Lewis has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations.

NOTE: Governor Bob Riley's office says it has already applied for all possible designations available to the state and approval must come from President Obama.

WSFA Staff

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